In effect for 2016! Peregrine Falcons nest seasonally at Lover's Leap. During the closure period, please avoid the areas displayed on the map posted below. A closure is in place at the center of the wall starting April 1 to September 30. A detailed listing of closed routes and any changes in the information regarding the peregrine falcons will be posted on the Eldorado National Forest website fs.usda.gov/eldorado. If you require addition information contact the Eldorado National Forest at 530-622-5061.

Here's a map from 2009, but the same route closures generally apply every year (true through 2016 according to the latest order).

2009 Closure Map

This information is a public crowdsourcing effort between the Access Fund,
and Mountain Project.You should confirm closures, restrictions, and/or related dates.

Description

Wild Turkey! The last time I had a shot of this stuff I kept it down for about 30 second before the cauldron of my stomach boiled over and I filled a nearby pint glass with a foul brew.

Chances are if you're looking at this route on mp.com you've wandered by the lower buttress, seen those two pink poot slings hanging off that old pin and wondered 'what is that thing?' That thing is the seldom repeated Wild Turkey. Located just uphill from the much smoother Crown Royal is a shallow corner with the pin about 25' up.

Start up the dike face just right of the corner before working over left. Continue up to the pin and take a good at it before you push your chips into the pot. Look up... that giant knob is close... so close.

Attack the roof, gain the knob and pull up. By the way, that move is not 5.8. Continue up and get established on the dikey slab headwall above. Wind your way up, brushing lichen from dikes. At some point falling will not be an option. Eventually you will gain a series of right facing flakes which take some gear. Right below a large dike the third flake is a good spot to belay and takes a couple hand size cams, about 150' up.

The second pitch continues up easy runout face.

Rick Sumner's old green Tahoe Rock guide says this about the route: "Rack: webbing slings and one 2 1/2 chock. Climb up a groove to the right side of a large ceiling; then traverse left along the celing's lip until possible to face climb up left to a horn. Continue until out of rope, then belay. This route has less than marginal protection."

Location

just uphill from Crown Royal, and just downhill from the Groove. 15' left of the Groove. Look for the pin with the two pink slings. Those slings are at least 10 years old.